Necessary AssumptionDiff: Medium
Logic Breakdown
Passage Summary: To have a fair system, regular people need to be able to critique the people deciding on punishments; however, if the system is run by experts on deterrence, regular people won't understand enough to offer that critique.
Conclusion: A legal system focused on deterrence fails to ensure justice.
Reasoning: Justice requires that citizens be able to criticize those who determine punishments, but deterrence-based systems are run by experts whose specialized knowledge the average citizen lacks.
Analysis: This argument relies on a 'Missing Link' between having knowledge and having the capacity to criticize. The author assumes that if you don't understand the technical 'specialty' of the experts, you are automatically incapable of criticizing their decisions. To find the necessary assumption, ask yourself: 'What if citizens could criticize experts even without knowing the technical details?' If that were possible, the argument would fall apart. Therefore, the argument needs to assume that specialized knowledge is a prerequisite for valid or effective criticism.
Conclusion: A legal system focused on deterrence fails to ensure justice.
Reasoning: Justice requires that citizens be able to criticize those who determine punishments, but deterrence-based systems are run by experts whose specialized knowledge the average citizen lacks.
Analysis: This argument relies on a 'Missing Link' between having knowledge and having the capacity to criticize. The author assumes that if you don't understand the technical 'specialty' of the experts, you are automatically incapable of criticizing their decisions. To find the necessary assumption, ask yourself: 'What if citizens could criticize experts even without knowing the technical details?' If that were possible, the argument would fall apart. Therefore, the argument needs to assume that specialized knowledge is a prerequisite for valid or effective criticism.
Passage Stimulus
Passage Redacted
Unlock Full Passage20.The editorialist's argument requires assuming which one of the following?
Correct Answer
E
E supplies the needed bridge: if citizens lack that knowledge, then they are incapable of criticizing the experts. Negation test: if citizens without that knowledge are capable of criticizing the experts, then the editorialist’s reason for saying justice isn’t ensured collapses—so E is necessary.
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